Animals ; Gene Expression ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Spinal Cord ; metabolism ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; genetics ; metabolism ; p21-Activated Kinases ; genetics

A total of 152 strains of endophytic fungi were isolated from the barks of Eucommia ulmoides in three regions (Lueyang country, Zunyi country, Cili country). Based on morphological characteristics and analysis of ITS sequences, these strains were identified into 8 genera. Thereinto Phomopsis, Diaporthe and Alternaria were common genera to Eucommia barks from different sites. But the dominant genus was different: Alternaria was the dominant genus in the barks from Cili country, and Phomopsis was the dominant genus from Zunyi country, then Diaporthe was the one from Lueyang country. According to the similarity coefficient, the composition of the endophytic fungi was distinctly different between the barks from three sites. The diversity and species richness in Lueyang country and Cili country were found higher than those in Zunyi country. The evenness of endophytic fungi was 0.936 5 in Lueyang county, which was higher than 0.737 1 or 0.641 0 in Cili county or Zunyi county, respectively. After phylogenic analysis and calculating the genetic distances of typical strains belong to Phomopsis and its perfect stage--Diaporthe, there was very high genetic diversity in the two genera from our study. In conclusion, the community structure and diversity of endophytic fungi were significant different in Eucommia barks from the three habitats.
DNA, Fungal ; genetics ; DNA, Intergenic ; genetics ; Ecosystem ; Endophytes ; classification ; physiology ; Eucommiaceae ; microbiology ; Fungi ; classification ; genetics ; physiology ; Phylogeny ; Plant Bark ; microbiology

The purpose of this study is to prepare galactosyl modified lipid bilayer-coated mesoporous silica nanoparticles (GPEM) to enhance the antitumor efficacy against hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The irinotecan (CPT-11) loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) was coated with the Gal-P123 modified functional lipid bilayer by thin-film dispersion method. Nanoparticles were characterized with particle size, zeta potential, morphology and drug release in vitro. Afterwards, the cell uptake, intracellular concentration of CPT-11, cell apoptosis rate and cytotoxicity were evaluated on human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line Huh-7. The results showed that MSNs were coated with intact lipid bilayers and the nanoparticles had clear core-shell structure. GPEM is stable with the mean particle size of (78.01 +/- 2.04) nm. The low leakage rate in normal physiological conditions in vitro is contributed to the protection of stable lipid bilayer, and the fast drug release in acid environment due to the destruction of the lipid bilayer. On the cell level, the vector could improve the intracellular CPT-11 concentration by 4 times because of the functional lipid bilayer. The high CPT-11 concentration led to the increasement of apoptosis rate by 48.6%, and the reduction of half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of CPT-11 by 2 times, indicating stronger cell cytotoxicity.
Antineoplastic Agents ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Apoptosis ; Camptothecin ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Drug Carriers ; chemistry ; Drug Delivery Systems ; methods ; Humans ; Lipid Bilayers ; chemistry ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Nanoparticles ; chemistry ; Particle Size ; Silicon Dioxide ; chemistry

In this article, the research of chemical constituents and bioactivities in recent ten years has been reviewed of plants from the 12 genera in Flacourtiaceae related to the medicinal resources in China. The research in China about the plants from Flacourtiaceae was done very little, but many literatures have been reported abroad. The plants from Flacourtiaceae mostly contain the constituents such as aromatic glucosides, lignanoid glucosides, diterpenoids and cyclopentenoid cyanohydrin glucosides et al. These compounds or plant extracts mainly show antibacterial, antiviral, antitumor, hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic activities. The research of plants from Carrierea, Itoa and Bennettiodendron of Flacourtiaceae in China is still blank. The systemic research about chemical constituents and bioactivities of plants from these genera will play important roles in the discovery of novel natural products and active constituents, and provide valuable reference for the classifying of plants from these genera.
Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; Diterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Flacourtiaceae ; chemistry ; classification ; Flavonolignans ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Glucosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Hypolipidemic Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Extracts ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; classification

Objective To investigate the prevalence and incidence of Keshan disease (KD) and the selenium concentration of food and hair in residents of Yongjin Village, Fuyu County, Heilongjiang Province, national monitoring site, in 2007. Methods According to the Standard of Keshan Disease Surveillance and the Standard of Diagnosis of Keshan Disease(GB 17021-1997), the residents living in the monitoring site were surveyed by clinical examination and electrocardiography. For individuals whose hearts showed abnormalities, a chest X-ray photograph was taken. The selenium concentrations of the residents' food (flour) and hair were assayed by flowing injection hydride generation atomic fluoremetric method(FI-HG-AFM). Results Nineteen KD patients were found from 282 residents in 2007 KD surveillance. The prevalence of KD, latent KD and chronic KD were 6.7%(19/282), 2.8%(8/282) and 3.9%(11/282), respectively. Five of the 8 latent KD cases were newly found. In addition, there were 5 the suspected KD cases, including 2 suspected chronic KD cases. No acute KD or sub-acute KD patients were found in Yongjin Village at this monitoring site this year. The average selenium concentration of children hair and residents food were (0.3197±0.0586)mg/kg and (0.0210±0.0062)mg/kg, respectively. Conclusions New cases of KD continued to emerge, indicating that etiological factors still exist. Therefore, the emphasis of monitoring KD in furore is founding the consummate report of infectious disease system and training the personnel to increase the reliability of monitoring.

The application potential of rep-PCR in typing beer-spoilage isolates was studied. The effects of different factors, including DNA templates and primers, on the quality and reproducibility of fingerprints were investigated. The CTAB protocol was shown to be the feasible method for DNA extraction. Primers BOXA1R and (GTG)5 were used in rep-PCR, and the PCR products were sequenced to identify strains isolated from two breweries. Rep-PCR fingerprint profiles were obtained by using GelCompar II software. Cluster analysis showed that the isolates belonging to Lactobacillus brevis, L. buchneri, L. casei/paracasei, L. plantarum are divided into 2 or 3 subgroups. In addition, the two rep-PCR fingerprint profiles complemented with each other in typing these isolates. Combining the similarity coefficient cut-off (SCC) of species, 9 unknown isolates were identified rapidly by using both fingerprint databases. The results indicate that rep-PCR is a simple, reliable and promising method for rapid identification of beer-spoilager.
Beer ; microbiology ; Cluster Analysis ; DNA Fingerprinting ; methods ; DNA, Bacterial ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Databases, Genetic ; Lactobacillus ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; physiology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Time Factors

Objective To analyze the surveillance results and grasp the situation of Keshan disease in Wudalianchi city Heilongjiang province.Methods In 2009,Kaifa village was selected as the surveillance point in Wudalianchi city,total resident population were monitored by routine clinical examination and 12-lead electrocardiogram(ECG) tracing.Suspected cases with Keshan disease were taken chest X-ray,and Keshan disease was diagnosed based on Keshan Disease Diagnostic Criteria (WS/T 210-2011).Results A total of 795 people were investigated,including 397 males and 398 females.Eighteen people were found to be the patients with Keshan disease,of which 13 cases were latent Keshan patients,5 cases were chronic Keshan patients.The overall detection rate was 2.27％,aged 24 to 83 years old.There was no acute type and subacute type of Keshan disease in the surveillance point.Twenty nine cases of abnormal ECG were detected,the detection rate was 3.65％ (29/795),of which the 18 patients with Keshan disease were all had abnormal ECGs,mainly taken the form of ST-T changes and completely right bundle branch blocked.Six cases of male patients with Keshan disease were detected,the detection rate was 1.52％ (6/397); 12 cases of female patients with Keshan disease were detected,the detection rate was 3.01％ (12/398).Conclusions There is still potential and chronic Keshan disease cases in Wudalianchi city.We must keep on the monitoring on Keshan disease,master the dynamical changes of the disease conditions,and carry out the targeted prevention and control of Keshan disease.

OBJECTIVE This work aimed to investigate the anti-rheumatoid arthritic effect of gentio-picroside from Gentiana macrophylla Pall using an animal model of adjuvant induced arthritis. METH-ODS Adjuvant arthritis was induced in fifty SD male rats,which were randomly divided into five groups (n=10):control(0.5% CMC-Na)group,AIA(rats with CFA)group,dexamethasone(1 mg·kg-1)group, gentiopicroside(50 mg·kg-1)group,and gentiopicroside(100 mg·kg-1)group.Rats were administered intragastrically with drugs or CMC-Na once a day for a period of 2 weeks.Paw swelling,arthritic index, histological changes were assessed to evaluate the anti-arthritic effect.Weight growth,spleen and thymus indexes were also investigated in.RESULTS Gentiopicroside at dose of 100 mg·kg-1significantly inhibited the secondary paw swelling(P<0.05)and arthritis index(P<0.05),decreased synovial inflammatory infil-tration, synovial hyperplasia and bone erosion. Furthermore, gentiopicroside showed no immunosup-pressive adverse effects in body weight, index of spleen and thyums compared with dexamethasone administration (P<0.05, P<0.01). CONCLUSION Gentiopicroside possessed anti-arthritic efficacy in AIA rats without immunosuppressive effects.

Objective To develop an animal model of minimal persistent inflammation(MPI)in allergic rhinitis guinea pigs and to investigate its significance.Methods Sixty male Hartley guinea pigs were divided into four groups:group A(positive control group),B(MPI model group),C(negative group) and D(bland group)respectively,with fifteen animals in each group.Guinea pigs from group A,B and C were sensitized intraperitoneally by injection of suspension of ovalbumin(OVA)and aluminum hydroxide in 0.9%physiological saline.Then,repeated local booster sensitization with different concentration of OVA suspension(1%and 0.01%)or physiological saline into the nasal cavity of those guinea pigs were performed.For group D,physiological saline was used only.Symptoms(sneezing)of guinea pigs after intercellular adhesion molecule 1(ICAM-1)in the nasal epithelial cells were also examined.Results When challenged with l%OVA.the sneezing number of guinea pigs in group B was increased markedly than that in group D(P<0.05).However,there was no difference between group B,A and C(P>0.05).When challenged with 0.01% OVA,the symptom of snee~ng almost disappeared in group B just like that in group D and there was no difference between the two groups(P>0.05). Besides,there was still more EOS infiltrated in the nasal mucosa of guinea pigs in group B than that in group D(P<0.05).There was no expressed in group B.Condusions MPI models have been established successfully through long term challenge with lower density of OVA in the sensitized guinea pigs.which will provide us witll a new method for further research in the mechanism and treatment of allergic rhinitis.

Objective To establish an animal model of minimal persistent inflammation(MPI)of allergic rhinitis in guinea pigs and to investigate the changes of nasal mucosa.The expression of transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)and matrix metalloproteinases-9(MMP-9)were discussed. Methods Thirty male Hartley guinea pigs were randomly divided into two groups:MPI model group and control group randomly,with fifteen animals in each group.Guinea pigs from MPI model group were sensitized intraperitoneally by injection of suspension of ovoalbumin(OVA)and aluminum hydroxide in 0.9%physiological saline.Then.repeated local booster sensitization with low concentration of OVA suspension into the nasal cavity was performed to establish MPI models.Alcian blue-periodic acid-Schiff(AB-PAS)staining and Masson's trichrome(MT)staining were used to determine the number of goblet cells and collagen deposition within the basement membrane of epithelium.The expression and distribution of TGF-β1 and MMP-9 in nasal mucosa were estimated by double immunofluorescence under a confocal laser scan microscopy system.Results Compared with the control group,the increased goblet cells(t=13.720,P＜0.05)in nasal epithelium together with the increased collagen fibrils(t=4.542,P＜0.05)within the basement membrane of epithelium were observed in the MPI model group.There was nearly no expression of TGF-β1 in the control group and the expression of MMP-9 was only found in the epithelium cell.In contrast,there was significantly higher expression of TGF-β1 and MMP-9(t=25.218,P＜0.05)in nasal mucosa of MPI model group than that in control group.TGF-β1 mainly expressed in the epithelium cell,the infiltrated inflammatory cell and extracellular matrix,while MMP-9 expressed in the epithelium cell and the infiltrated inflammatory cell.Conclusions Long time MPI in allergic rhinitis resulted in some changes of tissue remodeling in nasal mucosa.TGF-β1 and MMP-9 may play an important role in disease progression.